205A.05 SPECIAL ELECTIONS.

Subdivision 1.Questions.

(a) Special elections must be held for a school district on a question on which the voters are authorized by law to pass judgment. The school board may on its own motion call a special election to vote on any matter requiring approval of the voters of a district. Upon petition filed with the school board of 50 or more voters of the school district or five percent of the number of voters voting at the preceding school district general election, whichever is greater, the school board shall by resolution call a special election to vote on any matter requiring approval of the voters of a district. A question is carried only with the majority in its favor required by law. The election officials for a special election are the same as for the most recent school district general election unless changed according to law. Otherwise, special elections must be conducted and the returns made in the manner provided for the school district general election.

(b) A special election may not be held:

(1) during the 56 days before and the 56 days after a regularly scheduled primary or general election conducted wholly or partially within the school district;

(2) on the date of a regularly scheduled town election or annual meeting in March conducted wholly or partially within the school district; or

(3) during the 30 days before or the 30 days after a regularly scheduled town election in March conducted wholly or partially within the school district.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the time period in which a special election must be conducted under any other law may be extended by the school board to conform with the requirements of this subdivision.

Subd. 2.Vacancies in school district offices.

Special elections to fill vacancies in elective school district offices shall be held in school districts pursuant to section 123B.095. When more than one vacancy exists in an office elected at-large, voters must be instructed to vote for up to the number of vacancies to be filled.

Subd. 3.Cancellation.

A special election ordered by the school board on its own motion under subdivision 1 may be canceled by motion of the school board, but not less than 74 days before an election held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled election for federal, state, county, city, or school board office or a special election for federal office, or 46 days before any other election.